Posts
Very thankfully we left the anchorage at Digby Is. at 0600 today. I have never experienced an anchorage as bad for swell which caused us to pitch and roll abominably. The cruising guide said it was subject to some roll but that's the understatement of the year. It improved a little when the tide went out because a protecting reef became exposed but I would not recommend it to anyone. All I can say is thank goodness for the Rocna. It held through thick and thin.
Generally speaking my opinion of the coast north of Bundaberg so far is way less than enthusiastic. The mainland anchorages (such as there are) are shallow tidal estuaries with bar or semi bar entrances which require some precise navigation. Coupled with a singular lack of scenic beauty makes them places to avoid. There is absolutely no comparison with the Northland east coast in NZ. Or even New Caledonia which was much more attractive.
The island anchorages are somewhat attractive from a scenery point of view but again fall far short of the Northland coast. And they all suffer to some degree or another from this infernal rolling. And this constant pesky SE wind which blows with considerable velocity day in day out.
However, we arrived at Scawfell around 1300 and sailed into quite a pretty bay on the north side where lo and behold the rolling was almost non existent. The wind is offshore (SE as usual) and currently blowing at 22 knots in the anchorage. But we are securely anchored in 6 metres of water with 40 metres of chain out and it's good holding. Our friends on the catamaran "Seadragon" who we had seen further south were also here along with another Australian boat.
We motorsailed the whole way to ensure that we got here in good time because it's 46 miles from Digby. We had our staysail and double reefed main as the winds were around 25 knots, occasionally gusting 30. There was a big quartering sea which now and again sloshed several gallons of water into the cockpit. It makes sailing unpleasant and difficult as the motion is quite severe running downwind. We are hoping that when we leave for Brampton-Carlisle (25 miles) we will have a good sail as the course should give us a beam reach. Only 140 miles now to the Whitsundays.
We've had sausages and sweetcorn for lunch and now going to have a kip as we didn't get much sleep last night due to all the rolling.
Watch this space
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Monday, 30 April 2012
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Still weatherbound at Digby
Well, sadly we are still here. We were hoping to get away early this morning but at 0300 the wind was already 15 knots and building and now at 0800 it's close to 20 and that's in the anchorage. But worse is the direction (SE) because although blowing our way, it would be dead astern with a big sea and this old girl isn't good in that situation. OK if the wind is lighter and the sea correspondingly smaller but she rolls like a pig and we just don't fancy enduring that for 8-9 hours and hanging on by our toenails!!
So, we're here rolling around in the swell which in most of these anchorages is impossible to avoid. Still better than the aforementioned. It's playing merry hell with our daily averages to the point where we are seriously doubting whether we would make Darwin in time this year and that it may be better to break the Australian coast passage in two and complete the northern leg next year. If we did that there also are other alternatives we could consider.
But all this highlights the fact that this coast is very difficult to sail and is far from the travel brochure stereotype of white beaches, blue water and sky and calm anchorages.
Maybe in the Whitsundays that's the case but down here (we are still 180 miles away) it is not. It's a big country and until one navigates along its coast, one doesn't really appreciate that. We knew the total distance on paper but it's when you translate that into actual daily sailing that the magnitude becomes apparent.
Anyway, today is likely to involve quite a few games of Chess - hopefully tomorrow things will be better but the forecast isn't encouraging.
As always, more later.......
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
So, we're here rolling around in the swell which in most of these anchorages is impossible to avoid. Still better than the aforementioned. It's playing merry hell with our daily averages to the point where we are seriously doubting whether we would make Darwin in time this year and that it may be better to break the Australian coast passage in two and complete the northern leg next year. If we did that there also are other alternatives we could consider.
But all this highlights the fact that this coast is very difficult to sail and is far from the travel brochure stereotype of white beaches, blue water and sky and calm anchorages.
Maybe in the Whitsundays that's the case but down here (we are still 180 miles away) it is not. It's a big country and until one navigates along its coast, one doesn't really appreciate that. We knew the total distance on paper but it's when you translate that into actual daily sailing that the magnitude becomes apparent.
Anyway, today is likely to involve quite a few games of Chess - hopefully tomorrow things will be better but the forecast isn't encouraging.
As always, more later.......
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Tiare Taporo III from NE Percy Is. to Digby Is. Lat. 21 degrees 30' S Long. 149 degrees 55' E
We left NE Percy Is. at 0630 in a 10 knot SW wind which was a good angle but not strong enough. However, once out of the lee of Middle Percy it settled to a steady 15 knots which was wonderful. We had a beam reach all the way with one reef in the main plus full genoa and staysail. The old girl loved it and romped along on port tack all the way with speeds hitting 6.5 knots at times. AND NO ENGINE!! A great sail over all too soon as we arrived at Digby Island at 1130. The approach was fairly easy using the chartplotter, eyes and our trusty cruising guide. We came in between Keelan and Henderson Islands into a lovely lagoon which is quite well protected - at least in this wind which by now had risen to 20 knots. We've anchored off a beautiful white sand beach in 20' of water at low tide so won't be a problem staying afloat!!
Then a beer and lunch was the order of the day. More corned beef on corn crackers with the last of our tomatoes. Tomorrow we are looking at Scawfell Is. (44 miles in a NNW direction) or Brampton-Carlisle Is. (60 miles in a NW direction.) The choice will be made in the morning as it will be totally dependent on wind conditions. At 5 knots the first option will take 9 hours or the second will take 12 hours so it's going to be a long day. Siesta this afternoon and then an early night to prepare.
Keep tuned to this space..............!!!
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Then a beer and lunch was the order of the day. More corned beef on corn crackers with the last of our tomatoes. Tomorrow we are looking at Scawfell Is. (44 miles in a NNW direction) or Brampton-Carlisle Is. (60 miles in a NW direction.) The choice will be made in the morning as it will be totally dependent on wind conditions. At 5 knots the first option will take 9 hours or the second will take 12 hours so it's going to be a long day. Siesta this afternoon and then an early night to prepare.
Keep tuned to this space..............!!!
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Friday, 27 April 2012
NE Island Percy Group
Today has been what is called in the Navy, a "make and mend" day. Dennis did the laundry, Jim hung it out and just wondering whether it will stay pegged in the winds we are getting! Dennis also made a loaf of gluten free bread from from a bread mix packet we found. Not too bad at all. Jim did some more passage planning - trying to make sure that (if we continue to get SE winds) we sail sailable downwind vectors and selecting alternative destinations on that basis, also keeping in mind the quality of various anchorages. Not too many that are any good around here. So, weather permitting it will either be Digby Is. (26 nm) or Scawfell (65 nm) tomorrow. Scawfell will only be possible direct if we don't get SE winds but that looks unlikely. The alternative is Digby first, then Scawfell in 2 days.
The Percys are part of the Northumberland Group and we are now about 100 miles south of the Whitsundays. This all means that we are just over one third of the way to Cairns - the northern Whitsundays being halfway. It sure is a big country! On that basis we should be in Cairns mid to end of May. Then we have a month to 6 weeks to get to Darwin so we need to keep moving. We didn't want to stop today but the pesky weather caused that. We don't particularly want to be out in 35 knots. In two day's time it is supposed to quieten down again so hopefully we can continue on. At least some of the daily distances coming up are longer than we've had for a while so we should cover more ground in a shorter time.
Over the next few days the tides get very big peaking on May 5th. with a range of 5.25 metres compared with today's range of 2.65 metres. So, it's not an east coast to sail by any means although the big plus is that the wind is with us and not against. For us this means sailing at least 30 degrees off the wind in vectors - we can't sail directly downwind in these seas and winds. Hence the passage planning and working out possible destinations which will suit the wind angles.
Cheers from us..........
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
The Percys are part of the Northumberland Group and we are now about 100 miles south of the Whitsundays. This all means that we are just over one third of the way to Cairns - the northern Whitsundays being halfway. It sure is a big country! On that basis we should be in Cairns mid to end of May. Then we have a month to 6 weeks to get to Darwin so we need to keep moving. We didn't want to stop today but the pesky weather caused that. We don't particularly want to be out in 35 knots. In two day's time it is supposed to quieten down again so hopefully we can continue on. At least some of the daily distances coming up are longer than we've had for a while so we should cover more ground in a shorter time.
Over the next few days the tides get very big peaking on May 5th. with a range of 5.25 metres compared with today's range of 2.65 metres. So, it's not an east coast to sail by any means although the big plus is that the wind is with us and not against. For us this means sailing at least 30 degrees off the wind in vectors - we can't sail directly downwind in these seas and winds. Hence the passage planning and working out possible destinations which will suit the wind angles.
Cheers from us..........
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
NE Island Percy Group
Today has been what is called in the Navy, a "make and mend" day. Dennis did the laundry, Jim hung it out and just wondering whether it will stay pegged in the winds we are getting! Dennis also made a loaf of gluten free bread from from a bread mix packet we found. Not too bad at all. Jim did some more passage planning - trying to make sure that (if we continue to get SE winds) we sail sailable downwind vectors and selecting alternative destinations on that basis, also keeping in mind the quality of various anchorages. Not too many that are any good around here. So, weather permitting it will either be Digby Is. (26 nm) or Scawfell (65 nm) tomorrow. Scawfell will only be possible direct if we don't get SE winds but that looks unlikely. The alternative is Digby first, then Scawfell in 2 days.
The Percys are part of the Northumberland Group and we are now about 100 miles south of the Whitsundays. This all means that we are just over one third of the way to Cairns - the northern Whitsundays being halfway. It sure is a big country! On that basis we should be in Cairns mid to end of May. Then we have a month to 6 weeks to get to Darwin so we need to keep moving. We didn't want to stop today but the pesky weather caused that. We don't particularly want to be out in 35 knots. In two day's time it is supposed to quieten down again so hopefully we can continue on. At least some of the daily distances coming up are longer than we've had for a while so we should cover more ground in a shorter time.
Over the next few days the tides get very big peaking on May 5th. with a range of 5.25 metres compared with today's range of 2.65 metres. So, it's not an east coast to sail by any means although the big plus is that the wind is with us and not against. For us this means sailing at least 30 degrees off the wind in vectors - we can't sail directly downwind in these seas and winds. Hence the passage planning and working out possible destinations which will suit the wind angles.
Cheers from us..........
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
The Percys are part of the Northumberland Group and we are now about 100 miles south of the Whitsundays. This all means that we are just over one third of the way to Cairns - the northern Whitsundays being halfway. It sure is a big country! On that basis we should be in Cairns mid to end of May. Then we have a month to 6 weeks to get to Darwin so we need to keep moving. We didn't want to stop today but the pesky weather caused that. We don't particularly want to be out in 35 knots. In two day's time it is supposed to quieten down again so hopefully we can continue on. At least some of the daily distances coming up are longer than we've had for a while so we should cover more ground in a shorter time.
Over the next few days the tides get very big peaking on May 5th. with a range of 5.25 metres compared with today's range of 2.65 metres. So, it's not an east coast to sail by any means although the big plus is that the wind is with us and not against. For us this means sailing at least 30 degrees off the wind in vectors - we can't sail directly downwind in these seas and winds. Hence the passage planning and working out possible destinations which will suit the wind angles.
Cheers from us..........
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Percy Islands lat.21 degrees 39' S long. 150 degrees 20' E
Well, after a not so good forecast we decided to vacate the anchorage at Hexham which was rolly and continue on to the Percy Islands - 20 miles further north. The forecast was for up to 35 knots from the south and although we didn't get that, it came close to 30. It was a very uncomfortablr trip with the wind more or less dead astern and the old girl rolled her guts out - scuppers under! We had a reefed main on starboard tack and motorsailed to make water and power - the usual story!!
We left Hexham at 7 and arrived off South Percy around 10 but the anchorage didn't look too inviting so we carried on to NE Percy which the cruising guide says has the best anchorage. It's also very rolly and is definitely the best of a bad bunch. Still, we'll be secure here. We're not sure when we'll be leaving given the weather forecast - apparently there's a low pressure system off the coast which is heading this way and in the process squeezing the isobars together - hence the wind. We also don't want any more straight downwind legs like today but the next projected stop (Digby) is off on an angle which would be better provided Murphy doesn't alter the wind direction!! It's by no means easy sailing this coast and we'll be glad to get some R&R at Airlie Beach.
We probably wont get to see the famous A frame hut where sailors leave there boat names on Middle Percy because the anchorage there would be untenable at the moment and it means quite a dogleg to get there now.
The islands are very picturesque and remind us of NZ a lot but there are no really secure comfortable anchorages. They are very much a pig in a poke and one just has to make do. As I write this Dennis is having a siesta and we are pitching and rolling! Hope it improves later so we get a good night's sleep!
Cheers................
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
We left Hexham at 7 and arrived off South Percy around 10 but the anchorage didn't look too inviting so we carried on to NE Percy which the cruising guide says has the best anchorage. It's also very rolly and is definitely the best of a bad bunch. Still, we'll be secure here. We're not sure when we'll be leaving given the weather forecast - apparently there's a low pressure system off the coast which is heading this way and in the process squeezing the isobars together - hence the wind. We also don't want any more straight downwind legs like today but the next projected stop (Digby) is off on an angle which would be better provided Murphy doesn't alter the wind direction!! It's by no means easy sailing this coast and we'll be glad to get some R&R at Airlie Beach.
We probably wont get to see the famous A frame hut where sailors leave there boat names on Middle Percy because the anchorage there would be untenable at the moment and it means quite a dogleg to get there now.
The islands are very picturesque and remind us of NZ a lot but there are no really secure comfortable anchorages. They are very much a pig in a poke and one just has to make do. As I write this Dennis is having a siesta and we are pitching and rolling! Hope it improves later so we get a good night's sleep!
Cheers................
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Hexham Is. lat. 22 degrees 00.727' S long. 150 degrees 21.816' E
Had a good sail today - wind dead aft but we poled out the genoa after running the engine to top up water and batteries. We left Island Head Creek at 0915 and arrived here at 1300. In the meantime the wind has got up quite a bit but we are sheltered in the bay. We're staying here tonight and then on to the Percy's tomorrow. Had a mission getting the anchor up this morning - it was wrapped up in the chain. Its a wonder it held at all; probably caused by the shifting tidal currents during the night with the boat veering around all night. We don't have internet or cellphone coverage here so this is our only means of communication probably for the next 4-5 days.
At Island Head Creek we were very close to the Australian Defence Force training and live firing area in Broad Sound and Shoalwater Sound and there was some sort of exercise announced but we were disappointed not to be buzzed by an F18!!! Never mind, there's enough excitement just sailing up this coast. Anyway we are pleased to be away fro the muddy creeks with there tricky entrances.
Watch this space.............
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
At Island Head Creek we were very close to the Australian Defence Force training and live firing area in Broad Sound and Shoalwater Sound and there was some sort of exercise announced but we were disappointed not to be buzzed by an F18!!! Never mind, there's enough excitement just sailing up this coast. Anyway we are pleased to be away fro the muddy creeks with there tricky entrances.
Watch this space.............
www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)